Finest Hour: Britain and World War Two

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

Britain's participation in the Second World War, between 1939 and 1945, is still regarded as its "Finest Hour" and has become the stuff of legend. When Winston Churchill replaced Neville Chamberlain as prime minister in 1940, the British were soon organized for total war, their subsequent efforts being instrumental in the defeat of Nazi Germany. The start of the war had been disastrous: following the defeat of France in 1940, Britain and its empire stood alone as Germany and its ally Italy overran much of Europe. Britain itself faced invasion and later starvation as Germany launched its U-Boats against British trade. Eventually, Britain would be joined by the Soviet Union and the United States and together would crush the evil of Nazism. Moreover, the British, with the help of the Empire and the United States, would defeat Japan's attempt to conquer much of its eastern empire. Thus, the British passed their greatest test, setting an example of courage and fortitude for future generations to emulate. The Second World War remains the proudest moment in Britain's long history. Yet, what was reality behind Britain's greatest moment? Has the story been exaggerated in the telling? Is there a myth of the Blitz, for example? What did this supreme effort cost the British people? This course aims to examine Britain's involvement in the Second World War and answer the questions posed above. The course will focus, however, on Britain and the war in Europe and North Africa, as it was at home and in the Mediterranean that Britain expended its greatest efforts. The course will look at the leadership of Winston Churchill; at the reactions of society to bombing, rationing and the mass efforts to produce war material. It will discuss Britain's military campaigns and seek to explain why, in the most part, Britain suffered one defeat after another until 1942. Yet, notable successes were recorded; victories were won in the air in 1940; in the desert campaigns of 1940-43; General Montgomery emerged as a great hero. Furthermore, Britain deployed successfully its scientific achievements: radar in the Battle of Britain, for instance; the breaking of the German codes which led to the defeat of the U-Boats. Britain's war effort is thus a heady mix of victory and defeat; heroism and incompetence; myth and reality. This course will untangle this mix and give students a clearer picture of modern Britain's defining moment. This course will be taught as a small group seminar, with some short lectures, but a strong emphasis on student participation and discussion. Each week one or two students will give presentations, which will address a general question provided, and raise others to do with the area they are talking about. Listeners should have done the reading, in order to have some background knowledge and be prepared to question what they have heard: these should start with "why," "how" and "what."